This Image Does Not Depict the Explosion of Solar Panels in Lebanon
The Claim
Sabotaged solar panels have started significant electrical fires. Over 500 individuals have been reported injured so far.
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Emerging story
Recently, social media accounts on X have been circulating an image claiming to depict the explosion of solar panels in Lebanon.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading. The image is old and does not depict the explosions of solar panels in Lebanon.
Increase in Solar Panel Fires
The image was published on July 21, 2023, with an article on the "Lebanon News" website that discusses the increase in solar panel fire incidents and related components, such as inverters and batteries. Misbar could not verify the exact location and date of the image, but it is confirmed that it is not related to the recent explosions in Lebanon.
Upon examining the circulated image, it is evident that it is a composite cover illustrating the article's topic, composed of two photos. The first photo shows a house fire on West Side Road in Columbia, taken on November 6, 2020.
The second photo was published in an explanatory article on how to handle fires involving solar panels, and it was posted on July 22, 2022.
Second Wave of Explosions Targets Wireless Devices in Lebanon
The claim is being circulated following a new wave of explosions targeting portable wireless communication devices of the "Icom Walkie-Talkie" type. These explosions occurred simultaneously across several regions in Lebanon, resulting in 20 deaths and over 450 injuries.
This wave of explosions follows an earlier one that targeted similar wireless communication devices, specifically pagers used by Hezbollah members, which caused the deaths of 12 people and injured more than 2,800.
Commenting on the explosions of the "Icom" wireless devices in Lebanon, a representative from the U.S. branch of the Japanese radio manufacturer Icom said, "The radios that exploded in Lebanon appear to be counterfeit products and are not made by Icom."
Ray Novak, sales manager for the amateur radio division at Icom America, told the Associated Press, "I can assure you that these devices are not our products." He noted that Icom introduced the V82 two-way radio model more than two decades ago, and production was discontinued long ago.
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